How to slow down Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers? For the moment, no team has found the solution in this NBA tournament, and the Bucks are the latest victims of Indiana's attack. The best in the NBA with 123.5 points scored per 100 possessions, and 128.4 points scored per game. That's six points more than their runners-up, the Bucks!
For Darvin Ham, there is only one recipe to stop Indiana: make continuous efforts and be physically ready. “Two of the ingredients of this recipe are multiple efforts and having the next action in mind,” explains the Lakers coach. “That’s the key because they’re a fast team. They play with a lot of rhythm. They have a lot of guys who can dribble really fast, with a lot of pick-and-rolls. We absolutely have to be in the starting blocks, and maintain the level of energy and discipline with which we are trying to play.”
The Pacers aren't just Tyrese Haliburton
On paper, it's a real clash of styles with the Pacers focused on attack, and the Lakers who have the 7th defense in the country.
“We try to be at the initiative of the game and those who impose their will on the game” continues Ham. “We see all types of playing styles, habits, etc. when facing different opponents in this league. Their main asset is speed, and they shoot much more than average. »
The Lakers coach warns that we should not only focus on Haliburton, the MVP of this tournament, whom he considers “a gem”. “There are players who can create without the ball. Not just Haliburton. It's the head of the snake, obviously, but there's also Buddy Hield, Myles Turner, Mathurin… It's McConnell, it's Nesmith. They have a lot of guys playing well right now. There is Obi, with the pressure he puts under the boards and his ability to run and cut, as well as his shots in the corners. »
Ultimately the key is not to go into an attacking match and try to beat them on their strengths. “We have to be prepared to deal with a little bit of everything, but we shouldn't try to stop them and stop them from doing what they love to do. We will, but we must also not forget to impose our will in the game. They must also defend on us. »
